General characteristics of Nitronic 50

This is a nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel with both very good corrosion resistance and high strength. The alloy may be machined, welded and cold worked using the same equipment used for normal austenitic stainless steels. The alloy displays a combination of strength, ductility, toughness, corrosion resistance and fabricability.

Applications

The alloy has been used for forged valve shafts and taper pins, pumps and fittings for chemical and petrochemical equipment, fasreners, marine hardware and boat shafting: also for heat exchanger parts, cables, chains, screens and wire cloth.

Forging

The alloy is normally forged at 2100/2200ºF (1150/1205ºC) and forgings may be safely rapidly cooled. For optimum corrosion resistance, parts should be annealed after forging.

Heat treatment

Annealing is carried out at 1950/2050ºF (1065/1120ºC) followed by rapid cooling. Air or water cooling may be used, depending upon section size.

Hardening of this alloy may be accomplished only by cold work

Machinability

Machinability of this alloy is about 30 percent that of AISI 1212. Slow to moderate machining speeds and moderate feeds, together with rigid equipment, are recommended, as are sharp tools and chip breakers.

Weldability

The alloy may be satisfactorily welded by shielded fusion and resistance welding processes. Oxyacetylene welding is not recommended due to a danger of carbon pickup in the weld. A postweld anneal is recommended for optimum corrosion resistance.